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June 2008Commission on Judicial Conduct The WSBA Board of Governors is seeking applicants interested in serving on the Commission on Judicial Conduct. Two positions are available: one as a member and one as an alternate. The Commission reviews complaints of ethical misconduct and disability against judicial officers, discusses the progress of investigations, and takes action to resolve complaints. The goal of the Commission is to maintain confidence and integrity in the judicial system by seeking to preserve both judicial independence and public accountability. The public interest requires a fair and reasonable process to address judicial misconduct or disability, separate from the judicial appeals system that allows individual litigants to appeal legal errors. Further information about the Commission can be found at their website, www.cjc.state.wa.us, or by contacting them at 360-753-4585. Law Clerk Committee — Two Positions The Law Clerk Committee is a regulatory board composed of seven lawyers who are appointed for six-year terms: Two terms are ending on September 30, 2008. Members are appointed with consideration for the geographic distribution of the law clerks in the program. The positions starting October 1, 2008, serve primarily the South Sound/Southwestern Washington and Spokane/Eastern Washington regions. Preference will be given to applicants in these areas of the state. The Committee is composed of both law school graduates and those who completed the Law Clerk Program; a balance of experience is sought. Each Committee member acts as liaison for an average of six law clerks enrolled in the program. A liaison receives monthly exams and certificates to review and assess the law clerks’ progress. The Law Clerk Committee meets quarterly in February, May, August, and November. At the quarterly meetings, the liaison makes recommendations to the Committee on petitions of enrolled law clerks and on the admission of new law clerks and tutors to the program, as well as other issues. Screened applicants to the program are required to meet in person with a liaison, so the liaison must be willing to host a meeting in his or her office or travel to the potential tutor’s office. The time commitment is generally four to eight hours per month in addition to the quarterly six-hour meetings and possible special meetings and projects. Please review APR 6 and the Regulations for the Law Clerk Program at www.wsba.org/lawyers/licensing/apr6rulesandregulations.pdf. General information about the Law Clerk Program is available at www.wsba.org/lawyers/licensing/faq-rule6.htm. Members interested in participating on the Law Clerk Committee should submit a letter of interest and résumé to: WSBA Bar Leaders Division, 1325 Fourth Ave., Ste. 600, Seattle, WA 98101-2539; or e-mail barleaders@wsba.org. For questions, call 206-239-2112 or 800-945-9722, ext. 2112. Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE Board) The WSBA Board of Governors is seeking applications from active WSBA members for appointment to the MCLE Board. One position is available, and members from any district may apply. This is a three-year term commencing October 1, 2008. The MCLE Board approves courses and educational programs that satisfy the educational requirements of the mandatory CLE rule and considers MCLE policy issues, as well as reporting and exception situations. Interested individuals should submit a letter of interest and résumé to WSBA Bar Leaders Division, 1325 Fourth Ave., Ste. 600, Seattle, WA 98101-2539; or e-mail barleaders@wsba.org. 2008 Licensing and Suspension Information Suspension recommendations sent to the Washington State Supreme Court. If you have not paid your license fees and late fees, or if you are on Active status and have not paid your Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection assessment or filed your Mandatory Professional Liability Insurance Disclosure Form within 60 days of the date a Presuspension Notice was mailed to your address on record (March 14, 2008), your name was on the Suspension Recommendation list sent to the Washington State Supreme Court. Provide WSBA with current contact information. You are required to keep your contact information current; see Admission to Practice Rule 13. If your contact information has changed, complete and return the Contact Information Change Form available at www.wsba.org/info/newaddresschange For more information. Full explanations of license fees, forms, policies, and deadlines are on the WSBA website at www.wsba.org/lawyers/licensing/annual Asian Bar Association of Washington to Host 20th Annual National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Convention in Seattle in November 2008 The Asian Bar Association of Washington (ABAW) will host the 20th Annual National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) Convention in Seattle on November 20–22, 2008. This event will mark NAPABA’s first return to Seattle since ABAW hosted the convention in 1991. The 2008 theme is “Building on Our Legacy: 20 Years of NAPABA.” More than 1,200 legal professionals and guests from around the country are expected to attend. For general information about the convention, contact Planning Committee Co-chairs Benes Aldana (206-217-6401 or benesaldana@comcast.net) or Marcine Anderson (206-296-0430 or marcineanderson@comcast.net). WSBA-CLE Annual Member Appreciation Summer Sale It only happens once a year! Shop the WSBA-CLE online store for recorded seminars and coursebooks (selected titles only) at substantial discounts. Stock up on A/V credits for your MCLE reporting. Visit the online store at www.wsbacle.org. Contract Lawyer Meeting Discuss the issues with other contract lawyers on June 10 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the WSBA office. Bring your lunch — coffee is provided — and network with other contract lawyers. For more information, contact Julie Salmon at 206-733-5914, 800-945-9722, ext. 5914, or juliesa@wsba.org. Success Strategies Workshop The Success Strategies Workshops hands-on/how-to intensives will teach new-to-practice attorneys or more experienced attorneys the skills and processes to better manage their law practices in an ethical, effective, efficient, and profitable manner. Through a combination of teaching methods and experiences in a confidential workshop setting held at the WSBA office, law office management consultant Ann Guinn will assist attorneys in solo or small firms to develop and reach their career goals. Workshops will be held the first Wednesday of each month from 5:30–8:30 p.m. You may join during any month. Three MCLE-approved CLE credits are available for each workshop. For information or to pre-register, contact Ann Guinn at 253-946-1896 or anngp15@aol.com, or Jennifer Favell, Ph.D., at jenniferf@wsba.org, 206-727-8267, or 800-945-9722, ext 8267. Recovery Support Group for Lawyers The Lawyers Assistance Program is offering a new weekly group in Seattle for lawyers in their first three years of recovery from drug or alcohol dependency. The group meets on Tuesdays from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. Discussion topics include relapse prevention, improving relationships, work/life balance, and other themes chosen by the group. Coed. Sliding fee scale of $5–15 per session. Call Abby Smith, LAP addictions counselor, at 800-945-9722, ext. 5988 or 206-733-5988. Casemaker Online Research Casemaker is a powerful online research library provided free to WSBA members. To access Casemaker, go to the WSBA website at www.wsba.org and click on the Casemaker logo on the right sidebar. Click on the Casemaker button to begin. For help using Casemaker, contact Julie Salmon at 206-733-5914, 800-945-9722, ext. 5914, or juliesa@wsba.org, or call the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-WSBA (9722) or 206-443-WSBA (9722). LAP Solution of the Month: Worried? A little anxiety is a good thing — it motivates us to get things done. But too much anxiety can result in procrastination or paralysis, and, before you know it, you can get way behind in your work. If anxiety has become a problem, call the Lawyers Assistance Program at 206-727-8268 or 800-945-9722, ext. 8268. Computer Clinic The WSBA offers a hands-on computer clinic for members. Learn what programs such as Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Adobe Acrobat can do for a lawyer. Are you a total beginner? No problem. The clinic teaches helpful tips you can use immediately. Computers are provided, and seating is limited to 15 members. There is no charge, and no CLE credits are offered. The June 9 clinic will be held from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the WSBA office and will focus on using Casemaker and other online research resources. The June 12 session will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and will focus on using Windows menus, the mouse, and making adjustments to the screen. For more information or to RSVP, contact Julie Salmon at 206-733-5914, 800-945-9722, ext. 5914, or juliesa@wsba.org. Job Seekers Discussion Group Looking for a job or making a transition? Join us at the Job Seekers Discussion Group the second Wednesday of each month from noon to 1:30 p.m. The next meeting is June 11 at the WSBA office. The group discusses where to look for jobs, how to grow your network of contacts, strategies for résumés and cover letters, and how to keep yourself organized and motivated. Exchange information and ideas with other lawyers looking to make a change. Come as you are — no need to RSVP. Bring your business cards and practice networking skills. For more information, call 206-727-8269 or 800-945-9722, ext. 8269, or e-mail rebeccan@wsba.org. Problem Getting a Client to Pay? Dispute with another lawyer or an expert witness? The WSBA offers two programs to aid in the resolution of disputes involving lawyers. These programs serve both members and the public. The Fee Arbitration Program focuses on fee disputes between a lawyer and his or her client. To participate, both parties must agree to be bound by the arbitrator’s decision. The Mediation Program provides a venue for parties to work together to resolve any dispute involving a lawyer, including those between a lawyer and a client, a lawyer and another lawyer, or a lawyer and another professional. Either party to a dispute may initiate fee arbitration or mediation. Both programs are non-disciplinary, voluntary, and confidential. For more information, visit the WSBA website at www.wsba.org/lawyers/services/adr.htm or call the ADR coordinator at 206-733-5923 or 800-945-9722, ext. 5923. Facing an Ethical Dilemma? The WSBA Ethics Line can help members analyze a situation involving their own prospective conduct, apply the proper rules, and reach an ethically sound decision. Calls made to the Ethics Line are confidential, and most calls are returned within one business day. Any advice given is intended for the education of the inquirer and does not represent an official position of the WSBA. Call the Ethics Line at 206-727-8284 or 800-945-9722, ext. 8284. Search WSBA Ethics Opinions Online Formal and informal WSBA ethics opinions are available online at http://pro/wsba.org/io/search.asp, or from a link on the WSBA homepage, www.wsba.org. You can search opinions by number, year issued, ethical rule, subject matter, or keyword. Ethics opinions are issued by the WSBA to assist members in interpreting their ethical obligations in specific circumstances. The opinions are the result of study and analysis in response to requests from WSBA members. For assistance, call the Ethics Line at 206-727-8284 or 800-945-9722, ext. 8284. Speakers Available The WSBA Lawyers Assistance Program offers speakers for engagements at county, minority, and specialty bar associations, and other law-related organizations. Topics include stress management, life/work balance, and recognizing and handling problem-personality clients. Contact Jennifer Favell, Ph.D., at 206-727-8267 or 800-945-9722, ext. 8267. Assistance for Law Students The Lawyers Assistance Program offers counseling to third-year law students attending Washington schools. Sessions are held in person or by phone. Treatment is confidential and available for depression, addiction, family and relationship issues, health problems, and emotional distress. A sliding-fee scale is offered ranging from $0–30, depending on ability to pay. Call 206-727-8268, or 800-945-9722, ext. 8268, or visit www.wsba.org/lawyers/services/lap.htm. Help for Judges The WSBA Judges Assistance Program provides confidential assistance to judges experiencing personal or professional difficulties. Telephone or in-person sessions are available on a sliding-scale basis. For more information, call the program coordinator at 206-727-8268 or 800-945-9722, ext. 8268. Learn More About Case-Management Software The WSBA Law Office Management Assistance Program (LOMAP) maintains a computer for members to review software tools designed to maximize office efficiency. The LOMAP staff is available to provide materials, answer questions, and make recommendations. To make an appointment, contact Julie Salmon at 206-733-5914 or 800-945-9722, ext. 5914, or juliesa@wsba.org. Upcoming Board of Governors Meetings With the exception of the executive session, Board of Governors meetings are open, and all WSBA members are welcome to attend. RSVPs are appreciated but not required. Contact WSBA Executive Director Paula Littlewood at 206-239-2120 or 800-945-9722, ext. 2120, or paulal@wsba.org. The complete Board of Governors meeting schedule is available on the WSBA website at www.wsba.org/info/bog/schedule.htm. Usury Rate The average coupon equivalent yield from the first auction of 26-week treasury bills in May 2008 was 1.78 percent. Therefore, the maximum allowable usury rate for June is 12 percent. Information from January 1987 to date is on the WSBA website at www.wsba.org/media/¬publications/barnews/usury.htm. Correction
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